THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


OLD    AGE 


BIRTHDAY    POEMS 


BY    A.    T.     LOWK 


THINKING  it  may  be  gratifying  to  the  relatives 
and  friends  of  my  father  to  have  a  collection  of  the 
birth-day  poems,  composed  by  him  for  a  number  of 
years  previous  to  his  removal  to  the  other  world,  I 
have  printed  them  in  this  pamphlet. 

A  portion  of  the  last  poem  has  been  omitted  on 
account  of  its  length. 

I  have  also  printed  here  the  obituary  notice 
which  appeared  in  the  New-Jerusalem  Magazine  of 
September,  1888,  written  by  his  pastor,  Rev.  James 
Reed  ;  also  the  article  concerning  him  published  in 
the  Boston  Daily  Journal  of  July  5,  1888. 

LEWIS  G.   LOWE. 
BOSTON,  Feb.  25,  1889. 


76290O 


ABRAHAM  T.   LOWE 


[From  the  New  Jerusalem  Magazine,  September,  i888.~\ 

BY  the  death  of  Abraham  Thompson  Lowe,  which  took 
place  in  Ashburnham,  Mass.,  July  4,  1888,  a  striking  and 
familiar  figure  is  removed  from  Boston  streets,  and  from  the 
visible  membership  of  the  Boston  Society  of  the  New  Jeru 
salem.  He  was  born  four  years  before  the  beginning  of  the 
present  century,  on  August  15,  1796,  and  was  therefore  at 
the  time  of  his  decease  a  little  less  than  ninety-two  years  old. 
His  native  place  was  Ashburnham,  and  he  was  the  son  of  Dr. 
Abraham  Lowe,  a  practising  physician  of  that  town.  He 
himself  in  early  life  followed  the  same  profession,  being  fitted 
therefor  at  Dartmouth  College,  where  in  1816  he  received 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  For  the  greater  part  of  nine  years  he 
practised  medicine  in  Ashburnham,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  removed  to  Boston.  Here  he  continued  to  reside,  with 
some  interruptions,  during  the  remainder  of  his  natural  life. 

Coming  to  Boston  in  1825  Dr.  Lowe  entered  at  once  on 
a  mercantile  career.  He  established  himself  in  the  drug 
business,  being  joined  soon  afterwards  by  Mr.  Sampson 
Reed.  In  1839  the  firm  of  Lowe  &  Reed  was  brought  to 
an  end,  by  the  withdrawal  of  the  senior  partner ;  but  the 
house  has  continued  in  successful  operation  to  the  present 
time  under  various  names,  having  included  among  its  mana 
gers,  beside  Mr.  Reed,  Dr.  Benjamin  F.  Wing,  Mr.  Thomas 


6  OBITUAR  Y 

Reed,  and  Messrs.  William  J.,  George,  and  E.  Waldo  Cutler, 
the  last  three  being  nephews  of  Dr.  Lowe. 

After  his  retirement  from  regular  business,  Dr.  Lowe  gave 
his  attention  to  various  matters  of  public  and  private  interest. 
He  was  a  director  in  several  financial  corporations,  and 
served  in  the  Boston  city  government  and  the  Massachusetts 
Legislature.  From  1849  to  1859  he  resided  in  Bridgewater. 
In  the  latter  year  the  Safety-Fund  Bank  of  Boston  was  insti 
tuted,  and  he  was  made  its  President.  This  bank  afterwards 
became  the  First  National,  and  has  had  an  exceptionally 
prosperous  career.  Dr.  Lowe  remained  at  its  head  until 
1 88 1,  and  continued  till  his  death  on  its  board  of  directors. 

Our  friend  was  a  calm,  cautious,  and  sagacious  man  of 
business,  whose  judgment  was  greatly  respected  by  all  who 
were  brought  into  commercial  relations  with  him.  But 
comparatively  few  of  these  associates  were  aware  of  his 
literary  tastes,  and  of  the  wide  range  of  his  interests  and 
pursuits.  He  was  the  author  or  compiler  of  several  published 
volumes,  among  them  two  school-books,  a  work  on  the 
"  Vegetable  Materia  Medica,"  and  the  excellent  little  collec 
tion  of  essays,  entitled  "  Fragments  of  Physiology,"  which 
appeared  in  1877,  when  he  was  over  eighty  years  of  age. 
He  also  contributed  a  number  of  articles  to  this  MAGAZINE. 
In  the  volume  for  1853,  or  number  26  of  the  old  series,  I 
find  a  paper  on  "  Physiology ; "  two  years  later,  one  on 
"  Language  ;  "  in  1868,  one  on  "  Skepticism  ;"  beside  others 
which  might  be  named.  Some  of  them  were  first  delivered 
as  lectures  before  the  Boston  Society  or  the  Massachusetts 
Association. 

These  productions  are  a  partial  indication  of  the  interest 
which  he  felt  in  spiritual  and  religious  matters.  He  united 


OBITUAK  Y  7 

with  the  Boston  Society  in  1835,  an^  for  the  fifty-three  re 
maining  years  of  his  life  was  a  devoted  and  consistent  mem 
ber  of  the  New  Church.  Simple  and  unassuming  in  all  his 
ways  of  life,  he  belonged  to  a  class  of  men,  by  no  means  too 
numerous,  who  make  small  outward  show  of  their  religion, 
but  are  none  the  less  earnest  and  sincere.  His  deep  regard 
for  the  Church  and  her  doctrines,  and  for  all  that  concerns 
her  welfare,  was  especially  noticeable  during  the  comparative 
retirement  of  the  last  seven  years,  when  the  cares  of  busi 
ness  ceased  to  press  upon  him.  In  his  will  he  bequeathed 
to  the  Convention's  Theological  School,  $3,000  ;  and  to  the 
Boston  Society,  $5,000  for  the  reduction  of  the  Church  debt, 
and  $3,000  for  the  benefit  of  the  deserving  poor. 

Dr.  Lowe  always  cherished  a  strong  affection  for  his  native 
hills,  and  for  many  years  past  has  spent  at  least  a  portion  of 
the  summer  among  them.  In  accordance  with  his  wish,  oft 
repeated  during  the  last  winter  and  spring,  when  his  memory 
of  things  in  general  had  become  dormant  and  inactive,  he 
was  removed  from  Boston  to  Ashburnham  as  early  as  prac 
ticable  the  present  season,  and  there  he  passed  away  uncon 
sciously  in  a  quiet  sleep.  His  only  surviving  son,  Dr.  Lewis 
G.  Lowe,  well  known  to  members  of  the  New  Church  in 
Massachusetts,  was  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  hav 
ing  been  aided  by  his  wife  and  children  in  the  performance 
of  every  filial  office  during  the  last  brief  space  of  weakness 
and  decline. 


DR.   ABRAHAM  T.    LOWE 


[From  the  Boston  Evening  Journal^ 

THE  death  of  Dr.  Abraham  T.  Lowe,  at  Ashburnham, 
which  took  place  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  removes  a  familiar 
figure  from  the  business  and  social  circles  of  Boston,  as  well 
as  of  his  native  town,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of  91  years, 
10  months,  19  days.  Enjoying  a  longer  lease  of  life  than 
the  majority  are  privileged  to  have,  he  continued  even  in  his 
later  years  the  active  duties  to  which  he  was  attached,  while 
his  genial  manners  and  kindly  acts  were  ever  unabated.  He 
belonged  to  a  long-lived  race,  three  of  his  grand-parents 
reaching  their  ninety-fourth  year,  and  with  this  hereditary 
feature  to  extend  his  years  attained  numerous  special  dis 
tinctions.  He  was,  for  instance,  the  oldest  living  represen 
tative  of  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts,  and  of  the  gradu 
ates  of  any  department  of  Dartmouth  College,  and  was  among 
the  oldest  living  Masons  of  the  country,  having  joined  the 
order  in  1817.  For  more  than  half  a  century  he  has  been  a 
firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  New-Jerusalem  Church, 
and  for  all  of  that  time  has  been  a  member  of  the  Society 
on  Bowdoin  Street,  Boston.  For  about  a  quarter  of  a  cen 
tury  he  had  been  connected  with  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Boston,  and  for  more  than  a  score  of  years  was  its  president. 
Born  in  Ashburnham,  Mass.,  Aug.  15,  1796,  about  seven 
months  before  the  second  term  of  President  Washington 


I0  OBITUARY 

expired,  Abraham  T.  Lowe  had  lived  under  the  adminis 
tration  of  every  President  of  the  United  States.  He  was 
the  son  of  Dr.  Abraham  and  Charlotte  (Hale)  Lowe,  his 
father  having  been  a  resident  of  Lunenburg  previous  to  1 786, 
when  he  removed  to  Ashburnham  and  there  continued  to 
reside,  enjoying  highest  respect  until  his  death  in  1834. 
Abraham,  the  son,  attended  the  academy  at  New  Ipswich, 
and  afterwards  Dartmouth  College,  where  in  1816  he  received 
the  degree  of  M.  D.  For  a  year  he  practised  in  Chelsea, 
Vt.,  and  then  removed  to  Ashburnham.  It  was  at  the  solici 
tation  of  his  father  that  he  took  up  practice  in  his  native 
town,  and  during  his  nine  years  there  his  circuit  extended 
into  Westminster  and  other  adjoining  towns.  Of  his  pro 
fessional  duties  at  this  time  Dr.  Lowe  has  said,  "  My  duties 
called  me,  I  believe,  almost  without  exception,  into  every 
house  and  family  in  town.  I  knew  the  directidn  and  condi 
tion  of  every  road,  bridle-path,  and  passable  cross-cut  way. 
I  never  while  in  health  declined  a  professional  visit.  I  rode 
on  horseback,  in  a  light  wheel  carriage  or  sleigh,  to  meet  the 
requirements  of  the  season  or  state  of  the  travelled  ways ; 
but  there  were  times  when  travelling  in  either  of  these  modes 
was  impracticable  ;  then  I  took  to  my  rackets,  or  Indian 
snow-shoes,  and  I  have  frequently  in  this  manner  made 
visits  both  in  and  out  of  town."  In  the  latter  part  of  1825 
he  removed  to  Boston,  and  here  opened  an  apothecary  shop 
on  Court  Street,  afterwards  taking  as  partner  Sampson  Reed, 
the  firm  of  Lowe  &  Reed,  wholesale  druggists,  continuing 
for  twelve  years  at  the  head  of  the  trade  in  this  country. 
From  1839  to  1859  Dr.  Lowe  devoted  his  time  to  the  posi 
tions  of  trust  and  responsibility  that  his  fidelity  and  upright 
ness  brought  under  his  care,  leaving  for  that  purpose  his 


OBITUAR Y  i  i 

regular  business.  For  one  year  he  was  a  member  of  the 
School  Committee,  and  for  six  years  of  the  Board  of  Alder 
men,  serving  in  the  latter  capacity  under  Mayors  Chapman 
and  Martin  Brimmer.  The  only  survivor  now  of  those 
boards  on  which  Dr.  Lowe  served,  from  1840  to  1844  in 
clusive,  is  Mr.  Charles  Amory.  For  four  terms  Dr.  Lowe 
was  doing  duty  for  the  State  in  the  Massachusetts  Legisla 
ture,  his  first  election  being  in  1825.  In  all  this  public 
career  every  duty  was  faithfully  discharged  to  his  honor  and 
to  his  constituents'  benefit.  For  ten  years  prior  to  1859 
Dr.  Lowe  was  a  citizen  of  Bridgewater.  In  that  year  he 
became  interested  in  the  organization  of  the  Safety-Fund 
Bank  of  Boston,  and  was  elected  its  first  president,  continu 
ing  at  its  head,  after  it  became  the  First  National  Bank, 
until  1 88 1,  with  unerring  judgment  and  far-seeing  shrewd 
ness.  In  the  literary  walks  of  life  he  was  not  inactive,  find 
ing  time,  even  in  the  midst  of  his  most  pressing  duties,  for 
authorship.  In  early  life  he  prepared  the  school-books 
known  as  "The  Columbian  Class  Book,"  and  "The  Second 
Class  Book,"  and  afterwards  wrote  a  volume  on  "Observa 
tions  on  the  Medicinal  Agencies  of  the  Vegetable  Materia 
Medica,"  following  that  up  in  1877  by  his  "  Fragments  of 
Physiology."  For  some  years,  during  his  later  life,  each  birth 
day  would  see  the  publication  of  an  anniversary  poem  from 
his  pen.  His  love  of  learning  was  very  great,  leading  him 
to  become  a  good  linguist  as  well  as  student  of  literature, 
and  always  giving  him  an  interest  in  educational  matters. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  Trustees  of  Cushing  Academy  at 
Ashburnham,  and  for  years  was  its  President,  succeeding 
Ex-Governor  Bullock  in  that  office.  An  early  advocate  of 
internal  improvements,  he  manifested  much  favor  for  the 


1 2  OBITUAR  Y 

proposed  construction  of  the  Boston  and  Lowell  Railroad, 
and  headed  the  list  of  subscribers  for  that  pioneer  enter 
prise.  He  subscribed,  too,  for  the  stock  of  the  Western 
Railroad,  from  Worcester  to  Albany,  and  was  one  of  the 
Directors  during  its  construction,  and  subsequently  a  Director 
of  the  Boston  and  Worcester  and  of  the  Fall  River  Rail 
roads  Always  to  the  front  in  matters  of  public  interest,  he 
well  merited  the  high  esteem  and  affection  of  friends  and 
associates.  Dr.  Lowe  was  the  last  survivor  of  his  generation 
in  his  immediate  family,  and  but  one  child,  Dr.  Lewis  G. 
Lowe,  survives  him. 


OLD    AGE 

BIRTHDAY  POEMS 


1879-1796=83 

WITH  steady,  yet  resistless,  force, 
Time  onward  moves  his  even  course  ; 
And  now,  in  figures  plain,  I  see 
He  states  my  age  at  eighty-three. 
These  thirteen  years,  above  the  rate 
Assigned  to  man's  primeval  state, 
Seem  years  of  mercy  from  above, 
To  purify  our  higher  love  ; 
A  length'ning  boon,  in  kindness  given, 
To  fit  us  for  the  joys  of  heaven  ! 

The  term  of  years  vouchsafed  to  men, 
Is  reckoned  at  three  score  and  ten  ; 
And  all  who  seventy  years  survive, 
Thereafter  "  rather  sigh  than  live"  ! 
A  "  sacred  song,"  in  metre  good, 
But  based  on  words  misunderstood, 


OLD  AGE 

Says  all  the  age,  plus  forescore  years, 
Are  days  of  sorrow,  pain,  and  tears  ! 

Heed  not  the  language  used  above  ; 
All  ages  are  the  gift  of  love  ; 
Of  Love  Divine,  which  blesses  ever,  — 
A  constant  love  which  curses  never  ;  — 
Heed  not  the  word  !  for  man  improves, 
Despite  of  age,  who  truly  loves 
Life's  highest  duties,  —  who  extends 
A  helping  hand  to  foes  and  friends. 

What  blessings  Love  and  Wisdom  give  ! 
We  live  to  die,  but  die  to  live 
The  life  immortal  !  —  some  on  earth 
Have  foretastes  of  this  heavenly  birth. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  \j 


1881-1796  =  85 

TIME,  never  tired,  with  scythe  and  glass, 
Maintains  his  march  ;  —  how  quick  years  pass  ! 
No  earthly  power  affects  his  force, 
Can  hasten,  or  retard,  his  course, 
He  counts  the  years  of  all  alive, 
And  states  my  age  at  eighty-five  : 
Four  score  and  five  !  what  joys,  what  woes, 
Their  truthful  record  might  disclose  ! 
What  deeds  of  charity  appear, 
And  kindly  acts  from  self-love  clear  ; 
What  timely  aid  to  foes,  or  friends, 
And  what  to  further  private  ends  ? 

Man  is  the  offspring  of  his  love  ; 
Kindly,  or  cold,  his  life  may  prove  ; 
When  social,  and  from  self-love  free, 
He  personates  true  charity  ; 
Observes  the  GOLDEN  RULE,  and  stands 
Ready  to  aid,  with  outstretched  hands, 
The  friend,  or  stranger,  he  may  find 
Whose  fate,  or  fortune,  seems  unkind. 
Self-love  disclaims  all  brotherhood, 
Nor  ever  thinks  of  others'  good, 
But  combats,  with  persistent  strife, 
The  highest,  noblest  aims  of  life. 


g  OLD  AGE 

His  heart  warms  not ;  no  hand  he  moves, 
Save  to  advance  his  worldly  loves  ; 
Esteeming  only  those  as  friends, 
Who  serve  as  slaves  his  selfish  ends  ; 
And  toiling  thus  from  hour  to  hour, 
Insatiate  !  pants  for  SOVEREIGN  power  ! 

O  haste  the  time  !  renew  the  birth 
Of  earliest  happiness  on  earth  ; 
When  peace  and  innocence,  again, 
And  love  of  doing  good  shall  reign  ; 
Those  halcyon  states  of  life  restore, 
To  guide  and  bless  us  evermore  ! 

When  on  the  Mount  the  LORD  shall  make 

A  feast,  of  which  all  may  partake, 

Of  fat  things,  full  of  marrow  stored  ; 

Wine,  well  refined,  to  crown  the  board ; 

Where  vines  and  fig-trees  form  the  shade, 

And  none  intrusive  make  afraid,-— 

When  good-will  stands  where  self-love  stood, 

And  strives  to  do  his  neighbor  good  ; 

When  love  of  uses  reappears, 

Hail  we  these  coming,  crowning  years  ! 

And  now  let  all  good  men  engage 
To  greet  this  second  GOLDEN  AGE  ! 
Return  it  must,  and  thus  record 
The  fulfilled  promise  of  the  LORD  : 
That  first,  bless'd  state  of  manhood,  even 
Earth's  brightest  type  of  life  in  heaven  ! 


BIRTPIDAY  POEMS  19 


1882-1796  =  86 

TIME  adds  to  all  who  dwell  on  earth, 
Each  passing  moment  from  their  birth  ; 
And,  on  his  ever  faithful  page, 
He  writes  the  sum  of  each  one's  age ; 
Their  virtues  notes,  their  helpful  words 
His  ready,  truthful  pen  records  ; 
And  when  men  fall,  in  evil  times, 
States  both  their  follies  and  their  crimes. 
Upon  Time's  roll  my  age  appears  : 
Four  score  and  six,  he  counts  my  years  ! 
These  length'ning  days  swell  the  amount 
For  which  I  am  to  give  account 
Of  upright  aim,  or  time  misused, 
Of  years  improved,  or  age  abused. 
Thus  Time  displays,  since  time  began, 
The  outward  history  of  man. 

Not  on  the  tablets  of  the  mind 
Can  we  a  trusty  record  find  : 
The  secrets  of  man's  life  are  known, 
While  here  on  earth  to  him  alone ; 
Nor  could  each  one  his  own  relate, 
But  in  accordance  to  his  state. 
Evil  maintains  a  constant  strife 
With  all  true  harmonies  of  life  ; 


2O  OLD   AGE 

While  self  so  rules  the  human  mind, 
That  some  excuse  for  crime  men  find  : 
Others  on  earth  their  follies  hide, 
And  thus  with  better  men  abide  ; 
And  when  with  these  familiar  grown, 
Claim  other's  virtues  as  their  own. 

While  here  we  live,  in  forms  of  clay, 
Some  wrong  their  kindred,  day  by  day, 
But,  when  we  drop  this  earthly  mask, 
None  need  his  comrade's  purpose  ask ; 
Then  each,  all  other  minds,  may  trace, 
As  written  in  his  neighbor's  face. 

There  is  a  language  of  the  mind  — 
Not  vocal,  although  well  defined  — 
Which  man,  from  earthly  fetters  free, 
May  speak,  in  truth  and  charity ; 
May  write  the  same,  in  spirit-light, 
In  living  letters,  clear  and  bright, 
Which,  so  far  human  types  exceed, 
That  even  he  who  runs  may  read  : 
An  eloquence  is  in  each  face, 
Which  gives,  to  each  and  all,  their  place, 
Points  out  those  duties  which  commence 
When  man  is  freed  from  time  and  sense, 
From  selfish  cares  and  worldly  strife, 
And  love  is  seen  the  crown  of  life ; 
When  doing  good  to  others,  even, 
Will  be  esteemed  the  joy  of  heaven. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  21 

Life  flows  from  love,  in  every  age, 
Throughout  man's  longest  pilgrimage  ; 
With  life  comes  strength,  with  freedom,  power, 
To  render  service,  every  hour  : 
And  e'en  when  human  strength  may  fail, 
If  love  of  usefulness  prevail, 
When  manual  power  is  nearly  spent, 
Kind  heaven  for  deed  will  take  th'  intent. 

Sometimes  we  see,  in  ripened  age  — 
No  strength  remaining  to  engage 
In  earth's  stern  duties  —  quick'ning  love 
Strive,  with  high  purpose,  to  improve  ; 
To  search,  if  possible,  to  find 
Some  latent  evil  of  the  mind  ; 
T'  amend  the  same  :  thus  end  the  strife, 
Through  victory,  which  crowns  man's  life  ! 
Which  bids  the  enfranchised  spirit  come 
Within  his  heavenly,  happy  home  ! 
Where  order  reigns,  in  courts  above, 
Of  mutual  use  and  mutual  love. 


22  OLD  AGE 


1883-1796=87 

WHATEVER  may  the  world  betide, 
And  all  that  therein  may  abide, 
If  plenty  come,  with  liberal  hand, 
To  spread  her  blessings  through  the  land, 
If  famine  rise,  or  bitter  strife 
Distract  the  harmonies  of  life  — 
If  charity  man's  life  engage, 
Or  cruelty  its  warfare  wage, 
If  love,  or  hatred,  visit  home, 
Kindness  to  bless,  or  curse  to  come, — 
If  order  rule,  or  mere  brute  force  — 
TIME,  undisturbed,  maintains  his  course  ! 
Freely  to  man  his  lessons  gives, 
When  man,  in  kindness,  these  receives. 

Rich  blessings  TIME  retains,  in  store 
For  man's  behoof,  forevermore  ; 
Heaven's  ministry,  to  all  that  live, 
Who  heed  the  precepts  he  may  give  ; 
Man,  who  these  teachings  will  improve, 
May  thus  renew  his  life  and  love ; 
But  if  neglected  —  to  his  cost, 
His  opportunity  is  lost ! 

Sad  were  those  days,  when  man  first  strove 
To  crush  the  power  of  mutual  love  ; 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

A  love  celestial,  in  its  birth, 
Which  formed  the  Paradise  of  earth  ; 
Earth's  earliest  church,  whose  members,  even, 
Enjoyed  their  near  approach  to  heaven 
Uncounted  years,  in  EDEN  !  when 
Peace  ruled  on  earth,  good-will  to  men. 
Then,  each  to  all,  together  stood  ; 
Each  striving  for  his  neighbor's  good  : 
Thus  was  the  BIBLE  truth  displayed  — 
Scarce  less  than  angels,  men  were  made  ! 

When  perfect  order  ruled  on  earth 
With  man,  angelic  in  his  birth  — 
When  he,  for  uses,  ever  strove, 
Earth  was  the  type  of  life  and  love  ! 
Such  will  its  likeness  be  again 
If  heavenly  order  shall  thus  reign. 

But  self-love  came,  in  darkest  hour, 
Thirsting  for  rule,  for  sovereign  power  ! 
Came  into  EDEN'S  blest  abodes  ; 
Taught  men  they  could  be,  should  be,  gods ; 
That  earth  belonged  to  man,  alone, 
And  should  be  governed,  as  his  own  ! 
Thus  should  he,  Avho  in  rule  delights, 
Rise  in  his  strength  and  claim  his  rights. 

So  far  as  selfishness  increased, 
Love  to  the  LORD  and  neighbor  ceased  ; 
But  when  love  trembled,  to  its  fall, 
Then  sin  and  sorrow  came  to  all. 


OLD  AGE 

Then  came  the  promise,  through  the  WORD, 
Of  earth's  first  blessings  all  restored. 

But  here  the  skeptic  comes  again, 
And  asks,  in  his  satiric  strain, 
If  men  of  sanity  believe  — 
What  strongest  faith  can  scarce  receive  — 
That  ASTREA,  while  time  may  stand, 
Will  come  again,  to  bless  the  land  — 
That  she  wilt  come,  and  thus  restore 
The  EDEN,  which  was  lost  of  yore  ? 
See  men  again  in  happiest  mood, 
\Vhen  each  one  seeks  his  neighbor's  good  ? 

"  Such  promises,"  the  doubters  show, 
"  Were  made  some  thousand  years  ago, 
Still  unfulfilled  !  yet  are  there  some 
Who  wait  in  faith,  for  these  to  come  ? 
If  such  there  be,  their  faith  sure,  proves 
Stronger  than  that  which  mountains  moves  !  " 

Despite  all  doubts  the  critics  raise, 
We  look  for  coming,  happier  days : 
Look  for  them  ?  —  see  them,  bless  the  LORD  ! 
Come,  in  accordance  with  His  Word  ; 
See  deeds  of  charity  increase, 
And  all  those  things  that  make  for  peace ; 
See  mutual  love,  in  stronger  force, 
With  happier  families,  of  course  ; 
And  feel  our  inmost  pulses  move 
Responsive  to  a  higher  love  ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  2 

Are  private  wars,  each  must  engage, 
Or,  outward  conflict  nations  wage, 
Or,  broken  faith,  envy,  or  strife, 
Sure  signs  of  a  declining  life  ? 
Such,  in  their  presence,  they  appear, 
While  heavenly  blessings  may  be  near, 
Even  as  the  sombre  shades  of  night 
Precede  the  morning's  heavenly  light ! 
Which  causes  mankind  to  rejoice, 
With  one  consenting,  chanting  voice  ; 
Which  notes  the  happy  birds  prolong, 
In  their  accordant,  matin  song ; 
All  beings  who  in  order  move, 
Delight  in  morning  life  and  love. 

Evil  and  good  are  in  the  land, 
With  their  activities,  in  hand  ! 
Where  these  powers  meet,  their  combat  comes, 
To  bless,  or  blast,  our  several  homes  : 
To  bless,  if  justice  gain  the  fight ; 
If  evil,  then  our  hopes  to  blight : 
Thus,  should  a  war,  which  in  their  rage, 
Millions,  with  other  millions,  wage, 
The  heaven-born  rights,  of  millions  more, 
To  crush,  forever,  or  restore  !  — 
If  freedom,  thus  the  victory  gains, 
Strikes,  from  these  millions,  all  their  chains, 
A  nation's  manhood,  thus  reclaimed, 
Exceeds  the  cost,  that  may  be  named  :  — 
How  many  of  us,  so  delighted, 
A  nation's  wrong  being  surely  righted, 


26  OLD  AGE 

Broke  forth  in  song  —  it  well  became  us  - 
TE  DEUM,  semper  nos  laudamus! 

All  conflicts,  hatred,  envy,  strife, 
All  that  debases  human  life, 
The  pains  and  penalties  of  sin, 
Come  from  the  moral  wrong,  within  ! 
In  nations  thus,  as  well  as  man, 
Since  time  from  EDEN'S  fall  began  ! 
Still  welcome  conflict,  if  it  come, 
To  give  to  man  a  Christian  home. 
For  freedom's  gain  may  banish  fears, 
An  agony,  perhaps  of  years, 
Raise  man,  at  once,  from  darkest  night, 
To  joyful  morning's  blessed  light  ! 

Now  kindlier  deeds  of  life  abound, 
And,  man  to  man,  more  helpful  found  ; 
The  spirit-sense  of  life  revealed, 
Which,  hitherto,  has  been  concealed  ; 
Concordant  truths,  in  clearer  light, 
Appear  to  him  who  reads  aright ; 
And  which,  to  all  who  prize  the  WORD, 
A  signal  blessing  must  afford. 

When  mutual  love  shall  rule  the  earth, 
Then  shall  new  EDENS  take  their  birth  ; 
And  ASTREA,  goddess — such  her  name  — 
Will  then  resume  her  sword  of  flame  : 
No  sword  earth's  warfare  to  increase, 
But  that  of  love,  which  tends  to  peace  ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

The  poets,  of  most  ancient  date, 

Speak  of  the  first,  Saturnian  state, 

Where  happy  days  were  ever  found, 

Through  countless  years  recurring  round  : 

And  thus,  they  say,  throughout  this  time, 

Neither  calamity,  nor  crime, 

Nor  pains,  nor  penalties,  were  found 

Within  their  broad,  Saturnian  bound  ! 

Till  EDEN  left  her  blest  abodes, 

And  strove  for  empire — would  be  gods  ! 

But  the  same  poets,  in  accord, 

Foretold  a  PARADISE  restored, 

Where  kindness,  peace,  shall  dwell  again, 

And  love  for  others  once  more  reign. 

But  how  should  all  men  now  rejoice 
To  hear  HEAVEN'S  higher,  cheering  voice, 
These  golden  words,  forever  true  : 
"  Behold,  now  all  things  I  make  new  ! " 

Whate'er  mythology  may  state, 
Poets,  philosophers,  relate, 
Or  men,  angelic,  strive  to  prove 
These  coming  days,  of  life  and  love  — 
Let  all  these  in  abeyance  stand  ; 
With  heaven's  high  witness  in  our  hand  : 
For  what  can  skeptic's  language  prove, 
Against  the  words  of  LIFE  and  LOVE  ? 
What  are  the  tests,  these  men  afford, 
Against  the  words  :  "Thus  saith  the  LORD?" 
That,  on  the  Mount,  HEAVEN  will  restore 


28  OLD  AGE 

Feasts  for  all  nations,  evermore  ! 
Feasts,  full  of  marrow,  ever  laid 
Beneath  the  vine  and  fig-tree's  shade. 
Nor  ever,  in  this  coming  Age, 
Shall  man,  with  man,  a  warfare  wage  ; 
No  tears  suffuse  a  weeping  eye, 
No  orphan's  wail,  no  widow's  cry ; 
Health,  plenty,  peace,  shall  still  command 
Continued  bounties  through  the  land  ! 
The  crowning  gift  that  heaven  can  give, 
The  highest  boon  man  can  receive, 
Lives  in  the  promise  of  the  WORD 
That  all  men  yet  shall  know  the  LORD  ! 

No  affirmations  can  be  found 
Within  Heaven's  sacred  Volume  bound, 
Nor  stronger  pledges  ever  given, 
Than  those  expressed  in  words  from  Heaven 
Which,  in  their  HOLY  WRIT,  presage 
A  second,  coming  GOLDEN  AGE  ! 
When  wars,  pains,  jealousies,  shall  cease, 
And,  in  their  place,  come  gentle  peace  ! 
No  sorrow's  tears  affliction  prove, 
Where  all  is  charity  and  love  ; 
No  sense  of  hunger  can  men  know 
Where  "  milk  and  honey  overflow  !  " 
Feasts,  "  for  all  people,"  at  all  hours, 
Within  their  vine  and  fig-tree  bowers  ; 
Perennial  feasts,  through  time  to  come, 
While  Heaven  to  man  affords  a  home  ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 


29 


And  this  "  new  kingdom,"  bless  the  WORD, 
"  Shall  stand  forever,"  saith  the  LORD  ! 


He,  who  through  many  years,  has  come 
To  find,  Heaven  grant !  a  lasting  home, 
Sees  "  sweet,  green  fields,"  of  Jordan's  land, 
Still  in  unclouded  beauty  stand ; 
Where  plighted  faith  may  never  fail ; 
And  ever,  kindly  deeds  prevail  — 
Where,  all  within,  is  peace  and  joy, 
Which  outward  foes  may  not  destroy  ; 
Where  flowers  of  fragrance  never  fade  — 
Vouchsafe  that  there  my  home  be  made  ! 
With  other  men,  in  full  accord, 
Who  love  the  neighbor  —  first  the  Lord  ; 
With  whom  no  stronger  efforts  move, 
Than  to  excel  in  deeds  of  love  ! 


OLD  AGE 


1884-1796  = 


TIME  never  falters,  in  his  force, 
But  holds  his  measured,  even  course  ; 
Nor  ever,  since  the  world  begun, 
Has  gained  one  moment,  lost  not  one  ; 
Resistance  to  his  power  is  vain, 
And  we  all  follow  in  his  train. 
The  first  born  motion  is  of  love, 
Both  mind  and  matter,  onward  move  ; 
And  while  these  followed  Heaven's  behest, 
Man,  mind,  and  matter,  all  were  blest  ! 

When  charity  inspired  the  mind, 
And  man  to  man  was  ever  kind, 
Self-love  was  not,  or,  if  in  birth, 
Had  gained  small  influence  on  earth,  — 
When  each  was  truthful,  faithful  found, 
Earth's  high  humanities  were  crowned  ! 
These  were  the  days  which  served  to  prove 
The  priceless  gift  of  mutual  love  ; 
In  kindly  acts  of  use  expressed, 
Which  ancient  manhood  ever  blessed. 

Such  were  the  friendly  deeds  of  old, 
Which  erst  were  called  the  "  AGE  OF  GOLD  ; 
But  now,  alas  !  unknown  to  fame, 
Beyond  the  mention  of  the  name  ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

In  later  days,  all  may  behold 
The  strife  for  power,  the  grasp  for  gold  ; 
Self-love  is  striding  through  our  land  ; 
And  mustwe  bow,  at  his  command? 
Bow  /  never  let  the  demon  come 
Where  peace  and  kindness  have  their  home ; 
Where  each,  to  others,  willing  stands, 
Waiting  to  aid,  with  ready  hands  ! 

Those  earlier  days,  in  which  man  strove 
T'  excel,  in  deeds  of  mutual  love, 
When  freed  from  selfish  care,  and  strife, 
And  use  became  his  love  of  life, — 
Were  blessings  Heaven  alone  could  give, 
And  only  man  the  same  receive. 
Though  self-love  now  pervades  our  land, 
And  many  yield  to  his  command, 
Pervert  these  gifts  of  heavenly  birth, 
To  basest  purposes  of  earth, — 
Still  we  rejoice,  while  promise  comes 
Of  peace  restored  to  happy  homes  ! 
Of  man  reformed,  whose  daily  food 
Seems  inspiration  to  do  good  ! 
Those  who  for  kindly  deeds  unite 
In  doing  good  find  their  delight, 
Will  leave  a  worthy  name,  at  last, 
In  the  blest  memories  of  the  past. 
Order  Divine  will  come  again, 
And  health,  peace,  plenty,  thenceforth  reign  ; 
And  these  bright  days  —  bless  we  the  WORD  — 
"Shall  stand  forever,"  saith  the  LORD. 


OLD   AGE 

The  Golden  Rule  !  in  how  few  words 
The  Book  of  Life  this  law  records  ! 
Simple  and  few,  though  strong  in  deed, 
Which  every  one,  who  runs,  may  read  ! 
May  live,  and  thus  avoiding  strife, 
Enjoy,  on  earth,  a  happy  life  ! 
All  of  the  countless  forms  of  LOVE, 
From  Heaven's  full  fountain  live  and  move. 
One  LIFE,  one  SUBSTANCE,  yea,  one  SOUL, 
Creates,  inspires,  and  rules  the  whole  ! 
All  evil  from  man's  self-hood  comes, 
To  mar  the  peace  of  happy  homes ; 
While  power  is  given,  to  him,  alone, 
To  love  the  LORD,  and  sin  disown. 

Ere  evil  loves  and  worldly  strife 
Fought  the  beatitudes  of  life  ; 
And  men,  for  Heaven's  high  blessings  made, 
To  deeds  of  darkness  were  betrayed  ; 
Then  those,  before  in  peace  and  rest, 
Were  of  their  EDEN  dispossest ! 
Debased,  not  ruined  !     Lo,  this  WORD 
Came  forth  from  Him,  our  KING,  our  LORD, 
That  peace  on  earth  should  yet  be  given, 
And  earth  become  the  type  of  Heaven  ! 

All  the  degrees  of  life,  or  state, 
To  those,  next  higher,  first  relate  ; 
The  higher  forms  the  next  inspire 
With  their  influent,  vital  fire  ; 
And  thus,  throughout  creation's  bound, 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Life  moves  in  one  accordant  round  ; 

Each  one  to  others'  need  will  give, 

Who  may,  in  turn,  the  same  receive  : 

Thus  men  of  self-love  dispossest, 

Are  ever  blessing,  ever  blest ! 

Heaven's  kindly  acts,  in  order,  move, 

As  charity  flows  forth  from  love  ; 

The  xvill,  from  which  all  goods  proceed, 

Is  ever  kindred  to  the  deed, 

And  causes,  which  the  world  direct, 

Are  relatives  to  their  effect. 

Do  not  these  speaking  truths  proclaim, 

All  lower  things  from  higher  came  ? 

From  INMOST  LIFE,  through  Heaven  to  earth, 

('T  was  thus  creation  came  to  birth)  — 

Came  down  to  depths  of  earth,  and  stone ; 

Where  HEAVEN'S  warm  sunlight  never  shone  ! 

There  human  industries  are  found, 

There  precious  gems,  and  gold,  abound 

Which  man  successfully  has  wrought ; 

The  price  of  all  that  can  be  bought. 

Thus,  from  earth's  ultimates,  arise 
The  gifts,  which  mankind  highly  prize  ; 
And  all  earth's  bounties  ever  move 
Heaven's  ceaseless  kindness  thus  to  prove  ! 

What  if  similitudes,  on  earth, 
Are,  truly,  of  celestial  birth? 
And  each,  to  other,  ever  tend, 
As  love  to  kindness,  friend  to  friend ; 


33 


34 


OLD  AGE 

If  everything,  since  time  began, 

Has  had  its  semblance,  here,  with  man  ? 

May  not  all  things,  in  life's  clear  light, 

Through  correspondence,  thus  unite? 

Thus  man  was  formed  —  such  is  the  WORD  — 

Image,  and  likeness,  of  the  LORD  ! 

A  spirit,  in  an  earthly  home, 

Awaiting  angel's  life  to  come  ! 

When  earth  is  free  from  care  and  strife, 
And  use  becomes  the  joy  of  life  — 
When  LOVE  and  WISDOM  rule  the  mind, 
Another  EDEN  earth  will  find, 
Where  health,  peace,  plenty,  will  abound, 
Through  future  years'  continued  round  ! 

Men,  on  the  mountain  of  GOD'S  LOVE, 
Will  yet  their  "  feasts  of  fat  things  prove  ;  " 
The  liberal  fare  again  be  laid, 
Where  none,  intrusive,  "  make  afraid  ; " 
And  there  will  every  worthy  guest 
Be  hailed  with,  \Velcome , to  the  feast ! 
When  Heaven,  with  earth,  so  nearly  meets, 
May  not  each  walk  their  golden  streets  ? 
While  some  might  pause,  and  waiting  stand, 
To  clasp  the  coming  neighbor's  hand  ; 
A  pledge  which  friends  to  friends  impart, 
To  quicken  love  and  warm  the  heart ; 
To  seal  —  thus  often,  it  seems  good  — 
Their  covenant  of  brotherhood. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Some  men  now  are — whose  vision  seems 
To  other  men,  as  idle  dreams  — 
Who,  on  their  moral,  mountain  heights, 
Behold  the  flamy,  purpling  lights, 
Which,  to  their  inner  sense,  presage 
The  coming  of  a  happier  age. 

Benevolence  delights  in  use  : 
Free  from  perversion,  or  abuse  : 
With  Life's  great  purpose  understood, 
That  each,  to  others,  should  do  good. 
This  is  a  virtue  man  takes  hence  ; 
Surviving  merely  time,  and  sense  ; 
Rising  above  terrestrial  strife, 
Upward,  into  angelic  life  ! 
To  heavenly  courts,  where  good  men  tend, 
Neighbor  to  neighbor,  friend  to  friend. 

A  certain  man,  who  fain  would  go 
From  Zion's  mount  to  Jericho, 
By  thieves,  as  thitherward  he  sped, 
Was  wounded,  beaten,  left  half  dead  ! 
On  earth's  cold  carpet,  bleeding,  laid. 
Without  a  friend,  to  lend  him  aid  ! 
A  priest,  and  Levite,  him  espied ; 
But  both  passed,  on  the  other  side ; 
Neither  did  any  help  afford  ; 
Nor,  even,  spoke  one  kindly  word  ! 

But  soon  another  trav'ler  came  — 
Samaritan,  his  Scripture  name  — 


35 


OLD  AGE 

Who  raised  the  fallen  from  the  ground  : 
Dressed,  and  bound  up  his  every  wound ; 
Pouring  therein  the  oil  and  wine  — 
Emblems  of  good  and  truth  DIVINE— 
Then  took  him  to  an  Inn,  and  there 
Provided  for  his  future  care  ! 

Now  which  call  we  the  happier  man? 
Wayfarer,  or  Samaritan  : 
Him,  who  was  wounded  by  the  thieves  ; 
Him,  who  the  half-dead  man  relieves? 
Samaritan,  whom  all  call  good  ; 
Or  way-man,  weak  from  loss  of  blood  ? 
The  answer  comes,  in  clearest  voice  — 
Saver,  and  saved,  alike  rejoice  ! 

When  good  Samaritans  increase, 
And  all  those  things,  which  make  for  peace  ; 
When  wayfarers,  throughout  the  land 
May  pass,  nor  fear  a  hostile  hand  ; 
Where  men  of  charity  abound, — 
And  priest,  and  Levite,  rarely  found  ; 
Then  Paradise,  in  its  rebirth, 
Will  reappear,  to  bless  the  earth  ! 

What  blessings  men  of  earth  await, 
Who,  in  their  first  and  frail  estate, 
Strive  with  their  soul,  heart,  strength,  and  hands, 
To  live,  and  love,  Heaven's  first  commands  ! 
And,  through  their  inmost  powers,  to  prove, 
First,  love  to  GOD,  next  neighbor's  love  ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Welcome  !  the  promised  days  to  come, 
Of  plenty,  peace,  the  happy  home  ; 
All  things,  of  earth,  will  then  show,  even, 
Their  bright  similitude  to  Heaven  ! 
Where  mutual  kindness  lives,  and  moves, 
It  calls  forth  man's  still  higher  loves  ; 
Then  will  the  great  truth  be  displayed — 
Scarce  less  than  angels  men  were  made  ! 
And  Edens  all  good  men  await, 
Which  blessed  mankind's  primeval  state. 


He  who  counts  eighty  plus  eight  years  ; 
How  brief  remaining  time  appears  ! 
When  the  appointed  hour  may  come 
To  call  him  to  his  spirit  home, 
When  light,  immortal,  on  him  gleams, 
Would  not  "  lie  down  to  pleasant  dreams," 
But  seek  to  join  with  those  who  stood 
Ready  to  do  his  neighbor  good  : 
In  life's  high  uses  joys  are  given, 
The  peace  of  earth,  the  bliss  of  heaven  ! 


37 


38  OLD  AGE 


1885-1796=89 

A  PERFECT  order  Time  displays  ; 
Weeks  follow  months,  from  weeks  come  days  ; 
Minutes  and  seconds  —  moments,  all, 
Come  forth,  obedient  to  his  call ! 
His  wheels  move  on,  with  steady  force, 
Though  all  men  strove  to  check  their  course ; 
Nor  he  for  empires,  kings,  or  thrones, 
A  partial  favor  ever  owns  ; 
True  to  his  mission,  forth  will  go, 
Whether  it  be  for  weal  or  woe  ! 
Yet  in  his  office  ever  true, 
He  gives  to  every  one  his  due  ; 
And  each,  and  all,  his  gifts  will  prove, 
According  to  each  ruling  love. 

Since  Time  his  earthly  course  began, 
LIFE'S  greatest  miracle  is  man  ! 
Though  mortal,  in  his  first  estate, 
All  immortality  await ; 
Reason  to  him  alone  is  given  ; 
While  freedom  crowns  this  gift  of  HEAVEN. 
Man's  life  contains  its  countless  springs ; 
Its  vital  fibres,  living  strings  — 
Brain,  muscle,  mind,  nerve,  all  which  bless 
Humanity  with  happiness. 


39 


Which  elements,  combined,  afford 
To  man  the  likeness  of  the  LORD  ! 
In  health,  these  movements  all  appear 
Ever  accordant,  ever  clear ; 
And,  while  this  order  thus  obtains, 
Man  fears  no  fevers,  feels  no  pains  ! 

These  human  sensories  all  move, 
Inspired  to  act  from  INMOST  LOVE. 
Thus  every  organ,  great  and  small, 
Act  for  the  benefit  of  all  ! 
Such  harmony  to  man  was  given 
While  he  remained  a  type  of  HEAVEN. 
When  life,  in  order,  thus  goes  forth, 
Then  man  is  at  his  highest  worth. 

When  each  for  others'  use  is  found, 
True  love  and  wisdom  must  abound 
In  man ;  but,  be  it  understood, 
In  him  whose  love  is  doing  good  ! 

Unhappy  man,  whose  wishes  move 
In  bonds  prescribed  by  selfish  love ; 
Who  knows  not,  nor  desires  to  know 
The  joys  which  from  affection  flow  ; 
Whose  blood  ne'er  quickens  in  his  veins 
Except  to  hear  of  worldly  gains  ; 
Whose  only  thought  from  hour  to  hour, 
Springs  from  the  hope  of  higher  power ; 
His  constant  strife  —  alas,  how  vain  !  — 
Is  earth's  supremacy  to  gain  ! 


But  let  such  folly  disappear ; 
Now  higher,  holier  hopes  seem  near — 
Hopes  of  earth's  PARADISE  restored  ; 
Which  have  the  promise  of  the  LORD. 

All  true  humanity  unites 
To  share  with  others  their  delights  ; 
Compassionates  in  their  distress, 
Whom  pain  or  sorrow  may  oppress  ; 
But  happier  far  is  he  who  greets, 
For  their  good  fortune,  all  he  meets. 
In  kindly  deeds  on  earth  are  some 
Who  thus  foretaste  the  joys  to  come. 

As  mutual  love,  in  force,  declined, 
Man  to  his  neighbor  grew  less  kind  ; 
Then  soon  the  baleful  strife  began, 
That  each  should  rule  his  fellow  man  ! 
Such  was  the  power  of  selfish  birth 
Which  rent  the  earliest  church  of  earth. 
When  Eden  fell !  then  came  the  WORD, 
Forth  from  the  promise  of  the  LORD, 
That  other  EDENS,  yet,  should  come 
To  bless  man's  last  and  happiest  home  ! 

CELESTIAL  CHURCH  !  will  this  on  earth 
Bless  man  again,  in  its  re-birth  ? 
And  primal  manhood,  as  it  stood, 
Inspired,  in  purpose,  to  do  good  ? 
Earth's  earlier  ages  !  how  they  shine, 
Warmed  and  illumed  through  LOVE  DIVINE, 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

When  man,  above  all  earthly  strife, 

Enjoyed  a  nearly  angel-life  ! 

When  seeming,  sentient  earth,  then  strove 

To  rival  spirit,  in  her  love, 

Sent  up  to  man,  in  measure  good, 

The  richest,  best  sustaining  food  : 

Those  happiest  days,  when  time  began  — 

WTill  those  again  revisit  man? 

The  skeptic  asks,  Who  has  foretold 
This  coming  back  of  days  of  old, 
When  love,  peace,  plenty,  shall  abound 
Throughout  the  earth's  continued  round  ? 
And  when  will  earth,  with  unseen  hand, 
Send  up  the  bounties  of  the  land? 
Does  strongest  faith,  through  clearest  glass, 
Believe  these  things  will  come  to  pass? 
Yes  !  be  assured  ;  for  thus  He  said 
Who  both  the  HEAVENS  and  earth  hath  made  ! 

Bless  we  the  LORD  of  Life  and  Love, 
Who  rules  the  earth,  from  LIFE  above ; 
Whose  ever-faithful  WORD,  and  TRUE, 
Shows  all  things  are  becoming  new. 

As  human  fibres,  great  and  small, 
Move  for  the  good  of  each,  and  all, 
So  every  organ  lives  and  moves, 
Each  prompted  by  its  several  loves. 
In  health,  these  countless  motions  fall 
Exact,  accordant,  one  and  all  ! 


2  OLD   AGE 

In  social  life,  where  order  reigns, 
Such  correspondence  there  obtains. 
On  earth,  where  men  are  free  from  strife, 
With  mutual  love  their  rule  of  life, 
Each  like  to  other,  and  agree, 
As  INMOST  LOVE,  with  charity, — 
One  highest  purpose  fills  the  heart, 
That  each,  to  others,  should  impart 
Those  blessings  HEAVEN  so  freely  gives, 
And  man,  in  freedom,  thus  receives. 

What  man,  through  visual  sense,  perceives, 
All  that  he  readily  believes? 
But  what  past  history  supplies, 
He  claims  the  right  to  criticise, 
To  question,  doubt,  perhaps  deny 
With  seeming  lack  of  charity  ! 

Had  THEBES  her  hundred  brazen  gates, 
As  Grecian  poetry  relates? 
Or,  graver  still  —  an  answer  give  — 
Did  such  a  man  as  HOMER  live? 
And  at  THERMOPYLAE'S  famed  gate, 
Some  twelve  score  Spartans  hold  the  strait 
'Gainst  Xerxes'  millions,  in  their  might, 
Through  many  days'  continued  fight? 
Did  GREECE  a  monster-horse  employ, 
Which  took  their  chieftains  into  Troy? 
Or,  ^neas,  from  the  city's  fire, 
On  his  young  shoulders  bear  his  sire  ; 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Lead  forth  in  hand,  from  blazing  TROY, 
CREUSA,  and  their  darling  boy? 
What  folly  this?  since  'tis  so  plain 
TROY  was  the  myth  of  VIRGIL'S  brain  ! 

These  are  emphatic,  doubting  days  ; 
The  ready  skeptic  ever  says 
The  storied  facts  of  former  times 
Are  but  the  ancient  POET'S  rhymes ; 
And  what  to  others  truthful  seems, 
The  skeptic  says  are  idle  dreams  ? 
Yet  skeptics  are,  in  doubt's  despite, 
Who  see  the  coming,  gleaming  light, 
Whom  LIFE,  in  its  creative  LOVE, 
To  higher  purposes  may  move, 
'Till  earthly  scruples  cease  their  strife, 
And  use  becomes  their  joy  of  life  ! 
For  love,  in  act,  will  crown  life  even 
Through  earth's  last  date,  to  life  in  Heaven  ! 

But  let  the  men  of  truth  and  love 
All  these  distrusts  and  doubts  remove  ; 
To  bless  the  LORD  of  LIFE,  on  high, 
Who  dwells  in  His  ETERNITY  ; 
Who  in  His  BOOK  of  LIVING  WORDS, 
His  glorious  promises  records  ; 
Which,  to  the  smallest  tittle,  even, 
Will  come,  and  in  the  name  of  HEAVEN  : 
Yes  !  TRUTH  will  stand,  in  doubt's  despite, 
To  guide  man  through  earth's  longest  night, 


43 


44 


OLD  AGE 


Dispel  all  gloomy  cares  and  fears, 
And  flourish  through  perennial  years. 

Among  the  gifts  of  LIFE,  to  man, 
Since  Time  on  earth  its  course  began, 
Priceless,  pre-eminent,  in  wealth, 
Is  the  bright  diadem  of  health  ; 
A  boon  from  the  celestial  fires 
Which  LOVE  divine  alone  inspires  ; 
Teaching  those,  willing  to  be  taught, 
How  all  true  joys  to  earth  are  brought ; 
And  how,  in  order,  all  things  move, 
When  prompted  from  a  kindred  love ; 
When  men,  scarce  less  than  angels  made, 
Their  constant,  kindly  acts  displayed  ; 
Whose  highest  love  they  gave  the  LORD, 
Next,  each  to  each,  did  his  afford. 

In  age,  man's  pleasures  often  come 
Through  memories  of  earthly  home, 
Of  father's,  mother's,  sister's  love, 
Which  life's  endearments  ever  prove  — 
And  when  his  conscience  says  that  he 
Is  in  the  life  of  charity, 
Is  striving,  both  with  heart  and  hands, 
To  live  in  heaven's  two  great  commands - 
To  such,  bright  visions  must  appear, 
That  heavenly  happiness  is  near. 

When  men,  in  order,  all  may  stand, 
The  strong,  to  aid  the  weaker  hand  ; 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  45 

Where  none  contend,  though  each  one  tries 
To  rival,  in  his  charities  ; 
When  neighbor's  love  shall  once  more  reign, 
Heaven's  gifts  will  all  bless  man  again. 

The  mythologic  HOMER  states, 
And,  in  his  flowing  verse,  relates 
A  truth  which  seems  of  spirit  birth, 
But  typified  in  words  of  earth  — 
That  one  extended,  golden  chain, 
Together  binds  heaven,  earth  and  main  ; 
Of  sympathetic  links  which,  even 
Conjoin  humanity  to  heaven  ! 
On  which,  men  of  the  angelic  class, 
Upward,  and  downward,  each  might  pass  : 
And  Jacob's  ladder,  on  earth  set, 
Rose  till  the  top  the  heavens  met ! 
Through  which,  as  with  the  chain  of  gold, 
Angels  with  men  communed  of  old  ! 
And  will  again,  when  all  men  move, 
Living  the  life  of  mutual  love. 

All  things  created  were  for  use  ; 
And  use  will  serve,  free  from  abuse, 
Perennial  gifts,  of  spirit  birth, 
Which  will  forever  bless  the  earth  ; 
Unless  to  evils  they  descend  — 
Where  goods,  perverted,  ever  end  ! 

Earth's  ultimates  will  rise  again, 
As,  to  the  clouds,  returns  the  rain  ; 


46  OLD  AGE 

Thus  yielding  man,  in  measure  good, 
His  daily,  health-sustaining  food. 
All  earthly  vapors  ever  rise, 
Even  to  fountains  of  the  skies, 
And  there  await  divine  command 
To  fall  and  fertilize  the  land. 
Like  as  the  dew,  from  Hermon's  fount, 
Daily  enriches  Zion's  mount, 
Returns  again  to  Hermon's  height, 
Day  unto  day,  night  unto  night  — 
On  Zion,  thus  from  days  of  yore, 
Are  promised  blessings  ever  more  — 
So  all  heaven's  blessings,  ever  move 
Through  rounds  of  never  ending  Love  ! 

Now,  though  we  search  the  world  around, 
No  self-existence  can  be  found  ; 
Both  men,  and  angels,  live  each  hour, 
Quicken'd  to  act,  through  higher  power ; 
Each  world,  of  worlds,  must  ever  move 
Through  the  descending  ONLY  LOVE  — 
Through  mediate  forms,  which  come  to  bless 
Receptive  man  with  happiness  ; 
And  thus  to  every  form,  Life  gives 
The  vital  force,  which  each  receives, 
From  those,  who  claim  a  higher  birth, 
Down  to  the  lowest  forms  of  earth ; 
One  LIFE,  one  ever  living  SOUL, 
All  things  creates,  all  will  control ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  47 

All  lower  things,  whate'er  their  name, 
Through  those  next  higher,  ever  came  ; 
And  each  to  other  like,  we  find, 
Whether  of  matter  or  of  mind  : 
Such  correspondences  pervade 
All  things  which  LOVE  DIVINE  has  made. 
Thus  LIFE,  Infinite  in  its  ends, 
In  heavenly  order  now  descends, 
Through  man,  celestial  in  his  birth, 
Down  to  the  lowest  things  of  earth, 
And  ever  rising  upward,  even, 
The  circle  fills,  from  earth  to  heaven  ! 

Where  all  of  earth  in  order  move, 
There  lives  and  prospers  mutual  love, 
When  priceless  gifts  to  man  descend, 
And  seem,  in  ultimates,  to  end  : 
But  LIFE,  CREATIVE,  never  dies  ; 
From  LOVE  it  came,  to  LIFE  will  rise. 
Thus  Jacob's  ladder-vision  shows 
While  some  descended,  others  rose, 
Each  with  its  kindly  mission,  even, 
From  heaven  to  earth,  from  earth  to  heaven ; 
And  thus  earth's  bounties  ever  move 
Through  ceaseless  rounds  of  Life  or  Love. 

When  hearts  beat  strong,  and  ready  hands 
Strive  to  obey  LIFE'S  high  commands  — 
When  the  great  Precepts  of  the  WORD, 
Love  to  the  neighbor  —  first  the  Lord  — 


48  OLD  AGE 

When  these  become  the  law  of  life, 
Supplanting  self-love,  envy,  strife, 
Then  look,  in  faith,  for  the  rebirth 
Of  promised  Paradise  on  earth  ;  — 
The  Golden  Age,  again  restored. 
Such  is  the  promise  of  the  LORD  : 
A  covenant,  of  LOVE  DIVINE, 
Of  which,  earth's  rainbow  is  the  sign. 


Pilgrim,  whose  age  we  now  define, 
Counts  up  his  years  to  eighty-nine  ; 
A  little  longer  watch  and  wait, 
Ere  he  attains  his  final  state. 
Still,  for  his  guidance,  trust  the  LORD, 
And  heeds  the  lessons  of  His  WORD  ; 
And,  when  his  earthly  strength  may  fail, 
Let  love  of  doing  good  prevail ; 
So  may  the  boon  he  carries  hence, 
Survive  the  date  of  time  and  sense  ; 
In  acts  of  kindness  be  employed, 
And  heavenly  uses  thus  enjoyed. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 


49 


l886—  1796  =  90 

TIME   would  my  days  once  more  recount, 
To  state,  in  years,  their  just  amount ; 
And,  in  his  record,  it  appears, 
He  adds  them  up  to  ninety  years  ! 
How  swift  Time  flies  !  a  year  scarce  seems, 
At  first  thought,  longer  than  some  dreams ; 
When,  in  kind-tempered  Autumn  days, 
The  sun  his  milder  heat  displays ; 
While  yet  no  evening  frosts  have  come 
To  cause  a  chill  to  hearth  and  home ; 
When  Autumn's  leaves,  by  day  so  bright, 
Give  place  to  sunset's  golden  light : 
The  tea  time  past,  which  cheers  men's  hearts, 
Nor  injury  to  them  imparts  ; 
Then,  scarce  will  conversation's  charms 
Prevent  our  trust  to  Morpheus'  arms, 
Whom  ancient  history,  it  seems, 
Ennobled  as  "  the  god  of  dreams," 
Whose  falsehoods,  even  from  his  youth, 
By  far  transcend  his  utter'd  truth  ; 
Then  weary  —  with  full  freedom  blest, 
I  seek  the  downy  pillow's  rest ; 
When  soon  my  journey  I  commence 
With  slight  regard  to  time  and  sense ; 
Viewing  all  wonders  with  delight, 
As  in  the  noonday's  clearest  sight ; 


OLD  AGE 

Scanning  all  people,  as  I  pass, 

Of  highest  or  of  lowest  class  ; 

Saluting  all  and  each  I  meet, 

As  neighbor  would  his  neighbor  greet  ! 

I  pass  through  courts  of  kingly  power 

With  matchless  speed,  each,  every  hour ; 

And  whate'er  language  they  may  speak, 

English,  French,  German,  Latin,  Greek, 

All  questions  asked,  I  answer,  each 

In  words  according  with  their  speech  ; 

And,  though  a  man  of  unknown  home, 

Their  boon  companion  I  become, 

Feed  on  the  bounties  of  their  land, 

With  every  kindness  at  command  ! 

And  I  —  hold  !  HOLD  !  —  my  muse  now  speaks  ! 

No  more  of  these  vain,  foolish  freaks  ! 

You  still  are  dreaming  ;  wake  !  I  say, 

With  opening  eyes,  to  clearing  day  ; 

These  idle  visions  throw  aside, 

Nor  evermore  with  these  abide  ! 

Have  I  been  caught  in  dreamland  snares? 
And  stamped  with  folly,  unawares? 
So  it  would  seem  ;  but  now  appears 
The  memory  of  my  early  years  : 
Brighter  and  clearer,  this  now  shines, 
E'en  as  I  utter  these  last  lines  ; 
And  never  more  will  I  engage, 
Through  dreams,  to  measure  time  or  age  ! 
Give  Time  due  credit,  ever,  when 
He  figures  with  a  truthful  pen, 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Who  never  yet  was  known  to  make 
In  his  accounts  the  least  mistake. 

We  live  in  a  peculiar  age, 
Where  fancy  leads  and  follies  rage, 
Where  changing  faith,  and  strife  for  power, 
Form  the  chief  features  of  the  hour  : 
We  daily  read  of  war's  alarms, 
And  almost  hear  the  clash  of  arms  ! 
Of  thousands  slain,  the  record  comes, 
Paining  earth's  former  happy  homes  ! 

And  now  come  days  of  civil  strife, 
Which  mar  the  sympathies  of  life ; 
And  selfish  purposes  control 
The  holiest  motions  of  the  soul. 
The  Church,  now  militant,  appears, 
Mourning  her  loss,  in  these  last  years ; 
Their  broken  creeds,  and  faith  grown  cold, 
With  halting  Pastors  of  their  fold ; 
While  some  seem  others  to  decry, 
Perhaps  through  lack  of  charity : 
Distrusts,  doubts,  fears,  the  Church  assail  — 
But  better  counsel  may  prevail. 

But  do  these  tumults  now  presage 
The  ruin  of  the  present  age? 
Are  the  beatitudes  of  life 
To  disappear,  through  earthly  strife  ? 
While  every  promise  of  the  WORD 
Is  still  endorsed,  "  Thus  saith  the  LORD  !  " 


OLD  AGE 

Will  all  of  earth  be  dispossest 

Of  earthly  joys,  and  heavenly  rest? 

No,  NO  !  a  thousand  times,  say  NO  ! 

For  all  these  evils  serve  to  show 

A  consummation,  of  the  past, 

With  brighter,  happier  days  at  last, 

To  show  heaven's  promise  ever  true  : 

Behold  !  "now,  all  things  I  make  new  !" 

The  covenant  of  LOVE  DIVINE, 

Of  which  earth's  rainbow  is  the  sign. 

That  consummations  must  appear, 
Our  moral  atmosphere  to  clear, 
Ere  love  to  GOD,  and  neighbor's  love, 
Alone,  can  man's  affections  prove, 
Till  mutual  love,  again,  shall  rise, 
And  tears  no  more  suffuse  the  eyes ; 
Till  men  shall  form  one  brotherhood, 
And  find  delight  in  doing  good  ; 
When  pains  and  penalties  shall  cease, 
And  men  of  earth  may  dwell  in  peace  : 
Then  Paradise,  in  its  rebirth, 
Will  yet  again  revisit  earth  ! 

The  men  of  earth  two  lives  may  claim 
Mortal,  immortal,  speak  their  name  ; 
Mortal,  from  first  to  latest  breath  ; 
Immortal,  never  knowing  death  ! 
Two  natures,  be  it  understood, 
One  tends  to  evil,  one  to  good  ; 
With  given  power,  to  every  one, 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  53 

Either  to  take,  or  either  shun ; 
Two  characters  may  each  acquire, 
Each  moulded  from  his  own  desire ; 
One  leaves,  to  mem'ry's  gladdened  sight, 
The  lessons  which  the  heart  delight ; 
One  dies,  unknown  to  friend,  or  fame, 
Nor  leaves  the  initials  of  a  name  ; 
One  seeks  a  time,  as  moments  fly, 
To  exercise  his  charity  ; 
Another  strives  each,  every  hour, 
To  gain  new  subjects  of  his  power  ! 

Man,  ever  seeking  his  own  end, 
Knows  no  poor  neighbor,  to  befriend ; 
Hears  not  the  voice  that  cries  for  bread, 
Nor  sees  the  tears  which  orphans  shed ; 
Has  not  a  thought  of  others'  pains, 
While  he,  in  health  and  strength  remains ; 
Who  never  yet  has  understood 
That  joys  arise  from  doing  good  ; 
Neither,  that  man's  each  kindly  deed 
Comes  back  in  blessings,  in  his  need  ; 
Nor  dreams  that  bread,  on  waters  cast, 
Returns,  when  many  days  are  past ; 
His  ruling  love  is  power  and  pelf, 
Which  all  must  centre  in  himself ! 

All  men  true  happiness  may  prove 
Who  rise  from  self  to  neighbor's  love  ; 
The  men  of  wealth  we  may  commend, 
Who  thrive,  in  kindly  acts,  to  spend ; 


54 


OLD  AGE 

The  poor,  who  in  good  deeds  delight, 
Are  rich  men  in  true  spirit  sight ; 
All  good  intents,  whate'er  their  cost, 
Were  never  to  their  author  lost ; 
Each  kindly  thought  each  helpful  word, 
A  truthful  pen  will  sure  record, 
Where  bright  remembrances  appear, 
Which  brighter  grow  from  year  to  year. 

Truth  is  a  power,  through  quickening  love, 
Which  even  mountains  may  remove, 
While  falsehood  stands,  with  ready  hand, 
To  spread  all  evil  through  the  land. 
Through  living  truths  men  might  behold 
The  new,  descending  "  AGE  OF  GOLD  !  " 
And  coming  Edens,  to  afford 
Proofs  of  the  promise  of  the  LORD, 
Which  brings  to  faith,  in  clearer  view, 
That  all  things  are  becoming  new  ; 
Slow  their  approach  to  many  seems, 
And  prized,  by  most,  as  idle  dreams  ; 
Faith  holds  the  surety  of  the  LORD, 
Of  Paradise,  to  earth  restored  : 
That  living  charities,  which,  even 
More  closely  bind  mankind  to  heaven, 
To  human  vision,  show  more  clear 
That  happier  days  for  man  are  near. 
Hence  comes  the  order,  all  may  scan, 
"  PEACE  BE  ON  EARTH  ;  GOOD  WILL  TO  MAN." 
These  are  the  words  the  LORD  has  spoken  : 
Let  man  regard  the  heavenly  token. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  55 

The  man,  to  charity  inclined, 
His  highest  happiness  may  find 
In  mutual  uses,  freely  given, 
Which  point  the  way  from  earth  to  heaven  ! 
And  those  of  earth,  who  yet  may  wait 
Their  highest,  happiest,  blest  estate, 
Will  find  their  every  kindly  deed, 
A  heavenly  blessing  will  succeed  ! 

Truth  is  the  form  which  good  inspires, 
And  use  the  end,  which  life  desires ; 
CREATIVE  FORCE,  WISDOM  and  LOVE, 
Thro'  which,  all  things  are  made  that  move  — 
When  these,  on  earth,  "were  very  good," 
Then  men  "  scarce  less  than  angels  "  stood  ! 
Then  was  the  Paradise  of  earth, 
The  Church  Celestial,  in  its  birth  : 
No  man,  with  neighbor,  ever  strove, 
But  to  excel  in  deeds  of  love  ; 
Nor  in  self  purposes  engage  : 
This  was,  indeed,  the  "  GOLDEN  AGE  !  " 
When  hands  were  strong  and  hearts  beat  high, 
All  active  in  their  charity. 

Among  the  priceless  gifts  of  HEAVEN, 
Freedom,  to  man  was  ever  given, 
To  love  the  neighbor — first  the  LORD  — 
Which  may  Angelic  life  afford  ; 
Or,  man  pervert,  in  the  belief 
That  he,  of  kings,  is  now  the  chief ! 


56  OLD  AGE 

One  sees  an  active  world  engage, 

Men  of  all  characters,  and  age ; 

He  notes  their  course,  seeks  their  address, 

And  weighs  their  prospect  of  success  : 

Thus  men,  as  friends,  together  meet, 

And,  like  as  friends,  each  other  greet ; 

Alas  !  not  all,  in  their  address, 

Their  truthful  purposes  express  ; 

Many,  through  craft  and  shame,  descend 

To  ruin  him  they  call  a  friend  ! 

Thus  heaven's  best  gifts,  in  their  abuse, 

Evils  become,  through  their  misuse  ! 

But  let  it  not  be  understood, 

Evil  has  triumphed  over  good, 

Nor  join  the  skeptic's  taunting  strain  — 

Why  was  mankind  thus  formed  in  vain? 

LOVE,  still  the  LORD  of  LIFE,  remains, 

Who  rules  the  heavens,  and  sin  restrains ; 

Is  ever  ready,  ever  gives 

All  good,  which  willing,  man  receives. 

But  here  the  skeptic  comes,  once  more, 
With  "  what  ?  "  "  why  ?  "  "  wherefore  ?  "  as  before  ; 
Full  of  disquiets,  doubts,  disgusts, 
And,  rashly,  PROVIDENCE  distrusts  ! 
Irreverent  mortal,  who  can  move 
To  doubt  the  laws  of  LIFE  and  LOVE  ! 
To  challenge  DEITY,  and  scan 
The  laws  of  LIFE,  from  GOD  to  man  ! 
Vain  critic,  thus  of  Heaven  complains, 
And  LOVE  and  WISDOM  thus  arraigns  ! 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

If  all  the  powers  of  heaven  and  earth 
Were  truly  of  celestial  birth, 
And,  if  OMNIPOTENCE  and  LOVE 
The  happiness  of  all  would  prove, 
Whence  do  these  tears,  pains,  trials  come, 
Which  visit  oft  our  hearth  and  home  ? 
Why  now  do  crimes  of  deepest  dye 
Supplant  the  deeds  of  charity  ? 
While  yet,  INFINITE  LOVE,  each  hour — 
A  LOVE  conjoined  with  boundless  power  — 
Would  in  heaven's  happiness  embrace 
All  members  of  the  human  race? 

Thus  do  these  querists  reprove,  even, 
The  LOVE  which  rules  both  earth  and  heaven  ; 
That  would  to  all,  all  blessings  give 
Which  man,  in  freedom,  will  receive. 

Man,  in  full  manhood,  ne'er  was  found 
Until  with  will  and  reason  crowned, 
When  he  in  balance  freely  stood 
Between  the  evil  and  the  good. 
The  arbiter  of  heavenly  birth, 
The  gift  of  LOVE  DIVINE  to  earth  ; 
Freedom  of  man,  himself,  appears 
As  governor  of  all  his  years  : 
T  is  freedom's  gift  to  all  mankind, 
Which  makes  or  mars,  the  human  mind. 
Yet  men  there  are,  e'en  at  this  hour, 
Who  say  LOVE'S  plenitude  of  power 


57 


OLD  AGE 

Will  yet  compel  all  men  to  come 
Unto  a  heavenly,  happy  home  ! 

How  many  terms  language  affords  — 
But  never  more  discordant  words  : 
Compulsion  !  where  this  lives  and  reigns, 
Look  there  for  penalties  and  pains, 
But  NEVER,  NEVER,  there  to  find 
One  happy  or  one  peaceful  mind  ! 
Compulsive  joy  !  what  book  affords 
Two  other  such  combative  words  ! 

All  true  delights,  of  heaven  and  earth, 
Through  will  and  freedom  have  their  birth  ; 
Those  gifts  divine,  which  rise  up  even 
From  life  on  earth  to  life  in  heaven  ! 
No  happiness  can  come,  in  course, 
Imposed  by  mere  coercive  force  ; 
True  joys  of  life  must  ever  move 
Through  freedom,  active  in  its  love. 

.    Heaven  speed  the  promised  days  of  yore 
For  man's  behoof,  forevermore  ; 
When  pains  and  penalties  shall  cease, 
And  mankind  thenceforth  dwell  in  peace  ; 
When,  on  the  mountain  of  GOD'S  LOVE, 
These  blessed  bounties  men  may  prove, 
Where  peace  perennial  thenceforth  reigns, 
And  man  his  PARADISE  regains  ! 
"  Feasts  of  fat  things,"  by  heaven's  hand  laid, 
And  spread  where  fig-trees  cast  their  shade ; 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 


59 


"Feasts  for  all  people  ;  wine  refined," 
Food  for  the  body  ;  food  for  mind, 
For  each  and  every  pleasant  home, 
With  happy  years  assured  to  come. 


Friends  I  address  !  my  pen  inclines 
To  write  a  Brief  of  these  last  lines  ; 
And  in  few  words  strive  to  express 
Whence  troubles  come,  whence  happiness. 
First,  happiness  is  understood 
To  flow  from  love  of  doing  good  ; 
And,  herein,  mankind  may  behold 
Signs  of  the  coming  AGE  OF  GOLD  ! 
The  clearest,  brightest  vision  even 
Vouchsafed  to  man  of  life  in  heaven  ! 

But  sorrows  ever  live,  and  move, 
Through  inspiration  of  self-love  ; 
Presenting  envy,  hatred,  strife, 
The  likeness  of  infernal  life  ! 
Where,  some  inclined  to  act  the  knave, 
Would  of  his  neighbor  make  a  slave ; 
And,  as  perverted  man  we  scan, 
We  see  the  image  of  a  man, 
Possessing,  still,  a  human  soul, 
Which  inhumanities  control. 

How  youth's  glad  scenes,  in  later  age, 
The  happiest  thoughts  of  man  engage  ; 


6o  OLD  AGE 

When  earth-born  recollections  come, 
Rejoicing  every  pleasant  home  ; 
Recurring  thoughts  of  youthful  days, 
Reaching  to  childhood's  earliest  plays, 
Which  cheer  life  even  to  old  age, 
With  scarce  a  blot  to  soil  the  page  ! 
And  ever  tending  to  incline 
The  mind  of  man  to  LOVE  DIVINE. 

He,  who  through  holy  WRIT  hath  said, 
All  things  of  earth  by  Him  were  made, 
In  other,  ever  living  words, 
This  further  Scripture  thus  records, 
In  heavenly  language,  ever  true  : 
"  Behold  !  now  all  things  I  make  new  ! " 

How  full  of  promise  is  the  WORD, 
Of  Paradise  to  earth  restored, 
That,  from  the  heights  of  HEAVENLY  LOVE, 
Men  shall  their  future  EDENS  prove ; 
Each  in  his  Vine  and  Fig-tree's  bower, 
Nor  fearing  any  hostile  power  ! 
There,  cry  of  hunger,  no  one  hears, 
Nor  ever  sees  the  widow's  tears  ; 
Knows  not  the  penalties  of  pains, 
WThere  health,  enduring,  ever  reigns  ; 
Nor  fears  that  jealousies  may  come 
To  mar  the  harmonies  of  home  ; 
And  thus  on  earth  displaying,  even, 
Earth's  corresponding  form  of  heaven. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS  6 1 

What  happy  days  mankind  await, 
As  they  attain  that  high  estate, 
When  neighbor's,  joined  to  heavenly  love, 
All  true  beneficence  shall  prove  ; 
When  kindliest  deeds  of  manhood,  even, 
Shall  rise  from  earth  and  reach  to  heaven  ! 
There  dwells  no  envy,  ill-will,  strife, 
Where  use  becomes  the  joy  of  life  ; 
And  happiest  men  are  ever  found 
Where  deeds  of  charity  abound, 
And  mutual  acts  of  kindness  rise, 
Awaking  life's  humanities ; 
When  every  man,  O  !  happy  hour  ! 
Each  in  his  Vine  and  Fig-tree's  bower, 
Shall  live  in  peace  —  a  blessed  home 
Where  offered  evil  cannot  come, 
And  threats  of  violence,  if  made, 
None  could  inflict,  none  "  make  afraid  !  " 

The  promise  is  of  heavenly  birth, 
That  Edens,  yet,  shall  bless  the  earth  ; 
Graces  and  gifts  vouchsafed  to  man, 
Gifts  he  enjoyed,  when  time  began  ; 
And  why  doubt  we  these  heavenly  words 
Which  thus  the  BOOK  OF  LIFE  records? 

Haste  !  promised  days  of  happy  homes, 
Where  neither  pain  nor  peril  comes  ; 
When  each,  within  his  shady  bower, 
May,  in  his  use,  enjoy  each  hour ; 


62  OLD  AGE 

Peace  universal  then  will  reign, — 

Thus  man  his  Paradise  will  gain. 

Such  is  the  type  of  peace  which  flows 

From  honest  labor's  calm  repose, 

Giving  man  strength  each,  every  day, 

His  earthly  uses  to  display ; 

And- rising  thence,  to  states  above, 

Till  man  becomes  a  power  of  love  ; 

When  combats  cease,  where  kindness  reigns, 

And  man  true  liberty  obtains. 

High  from  the  Mount  of  LOVE  DIVINE, 
Whence  comes  the  LIVING  BREAD  AND  WINE, 
Feasts  for  all  people,  men  shall  share, 
The  gift  of  Heaven's  enduring  care  ; 
"  Things  full  of  marrow,  wine  refin'd," 
Sustaining  man  —  matter  and  mind. 
Blessings  divine,  of  highest  worth, 
Descend,  in  ultimates,  to  earth  ; 
Descend  to  rise  :  thus  ever  move 
Through  circles  of  continued  LOVE, 
Where  no  disquiet  ever  comes, 
To  Eden's  recreated  homes  ! 

How  many  gracious,  cheering  words 
The  BOOK  OF  LIFE  to  man  affords  ; 
The  covenants  of  LOVE  DIVINE, 
Of  which  earth's  rainbow  is  the  sign. 
And  boundless  Love  all  these  will  give 
That  man,  in  freedom,  will  receive. 


BIRl^HDAY  POEMS 

Surely,  the  lessons  of  the  WORD 
Prefigure  Paradise  restored. 

• 

Strange  that  frail  man  will  doubt  the  word 
Clearly  endorsed,  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord !  " 
That  health,  peace,  plenty  will  be  found 
Again,  through  Canaan's  utmost  bound  ! 
That  Edens  will,  in  their  re-birth, 
Restore  the  type  of  heaven  to  earth, 
Where  kindly  deeds  and  neighbor's  love 
A  second  "  Golden  Age  "  may  prove  ! 

As  mutual  friends  each  other  greet 
When  in  companionship  they  meet, 
All  active,  and  in  kindly  mood, 
Each  strives  to  do  his  neighbor  good, 
No  matter  where  their  house  or  homes, — 
To  these,  heaven's  blessing  ever  comes  ! 
The  promised  time  accomplished,  when 
Peace  conies  to  earth,  good  will  to  men  ! 


64  OLD  AGE 


1887—1796  =  9! 

HOW  some  glad  scenes,  in  memory's  sight, 
In  aftertime  afford  delight ! 
Remembrances  of  earliest  plays, 
Recurring  in  our  later  days  ; 
And  each  and  every  time  they  come 
Are  fraught  with  incidents  of  home  ; 
Of  happy  homes  !  which  ever  prove 
The  blessings  of  domestic  love. 
There,  cries  of  hunger  no  ones  hears, 
Nor  sees  deep  sorrow's  falling  tears ; 
For  mutual  love  there  brings  to  earth 
The  priceless  gifts  of  heavenly  birth  ; 
There,  in  the  absence  of  all  strife, 
Mankind  may  lead  a  happy  life, 
Where  they  heaven's  great  command  may  prove, 
And,  next  the  Lord,  the  neighbor  love. 
Then  must  not  skeptics  witness,  even 
Earth's  Paradise,  a  type  of  heaven  ? 
A  token  of  Eternal  Love, 
Which  skeptics  even,  may  improve  ! 
Love,  in  its  highest  sense,  display'd, 
Presents  the  Power,  which  all  things  made ; 
Calls  up  afresh  on  every  page 
Remembrance  of  the  Golden  Age, 
With  deep  felt  longings  of  the  mind 
For  their  return  to  bless  mankind. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Evil,  on  earth's  primeval  day, 
Did  not  its  direful  form  display, 
And  use,  in  absence  of  all  strife, 
Was  with  mankind  their  law  of  life. 
Then,  as  the  heavenly  language  ran, 
Was  peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  man  ! 
In  other  words,  the  record  stood, 
"  That  all  on  earth  was  very  good." 
Then  Paradise  her  charms  display'd 
To  men,  scarce  less  than  angels  made  ; 
And  all  humanity  stood  forth 
As  men  when  at  their  highest  worth, 
And  Canaan  was  the  earthly  sign 
Of  things  celestial,  and  divine. 
The  fields  their  living  green  display'd, 
And  vines  and  fig-trees  formed  their  shade. 
Life  then  on  earth  appeared,  even, 
As  the  bright  portraiture  of  heaven  ! 

Woe  worth  the  day,  when  self-love  came 
And  brought  to  earth  th'  unwelcome  name 
Of  conflicts,  of  a  spirit-birth, 
Then  even  reaching  men  of  earth  ; 
From  which  a  train  of  evil  flows 
Which  new  infirmities  disclose  ; 
Show  earth's  debasement  to  increase, 
While  all  things  pause  which  make  for  peace. 

Are  halcyon  days  of  earth  all  past? 
Do  sin  and  sorrow  rule  at  last? 


66  OLD  AGE 

With  emphasis  we  answer  No  ! 

For  heavenly  testimonies  show 

That  Love  Supreme  still  rules  the  land 

And  will  its  destinies  command. 

How  full  of  promise  is  the  Word 

Of  earthly  Edens  all  restored  ! 

When  sin  and  sorrow  cease  to  reign, 

And  mutual  love  shall  rule  again  ! 

Sure,  He  who  made  heaven,  earth,  and  main, 

Can  all  His  promises  sustain. 

But  here  the  skeptics,  once  more,  are, 
With  olden  queries  —  now  threadbare, 
Ask  why  the  Lord,  of  Supreme  Power, 
Should  suffer  evil,  for  an  hour? 
But  Love  Eternal,  understood, 
Has  power  alone  for  doing  good. 
While  human  evils  He  restrains, 
Even  through  penalties  and  pains  ; 
Good  is  eternal,  true  life,  use  ; 
Evil  of  time  —  of  man's  abuse. 

Thus  each  and  all,  their  joys  will  prove. 
According  to  their  ruling  love  ; 
The  good  will  to  their  joys  attain, 
Free  from  the  penalty  of  pain  ; 
The  evil,  who  to  sin  incline, 
Are  subjects  still  of  Love  Divine. 
Eternal  Goodness  ever  waits 
To  raise  men  to  their  higher  states. 
Ready,  indeed  !  yes,  ready  now  ! 
High  as  man's  freedom  will  allow. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

And  would  mankind  cease  to  define 

Anger,  a  trait  of  Love  Divine  ! 

Anger  !  an  evil  never  known 

Till  Paradise  was  overthrown, 

(And  which,  to  erring  minds,  may  prove 

Vindictiveness  in  heavenly  Love,) 

Was  born  when  sin  possessed  the  earth  — 

Should  make  no  claim  to  heavenly  birth. 

Though  heavenly  gifts  forever  wait 
To  bless  man  in  his  earthly  state, 
Would  come  to  every  house  and  heart, 
These  heavenly  blessings  to  impart, 
And  showing  thus  to  every  home 
Bright  types  of  Edens  still  to  come  — 
Yet  here  comes  freedom  to  elect 
What  to  receive,  and  what  reject. 

This  priceless  gift  to  man  heaven  sends, 
On  which  his  happiness  depends, 
Which  if  improved  by  him,  will  even 
Exalt  humanity  to  heaven  ! 
Yet  much  thus  coming  for  man's  use 
Is  turned  to  evil,  through  abuse. 

While  in  all  evil  men  remain, 
No  higher  state  can  they  attain. 
Still  Love  Divine  forever  lives, 
Still  for  man's  good  forever  strives  ; 
And  will  to  them  freely  ever  give 
What  they  in  freedom  will  receive  ; 
Strives  from  their  first  to  latest  breath, 
Into  and  through  the  way  of  death. 


68 


Never  were  known  unkindness,  strife, 
Where  heaven's  commandments  rule  the  life  ; 
But  earthly  Edens  there  were  found 
Throughout  that  consecrated  ground. 
The  Church,  celestial,  came  to  earth 
To  bless  the  men  of  heavenly  birth. 
This  was  the  time,  described  of  old, 
Well  named,  indeed,  the  Age  of  Gold  ! 

Then  man  to  man  together  stood, 
And  forming  thus  one  brotherhood  ; 
When  each  and  all  men  strove  to  prove 
Their  cherished  law  of  mutual  love, 
And  each  one  would,  in  kindly  deed, 
Contribute  to  his  neighbor's  need, 
Which,  like  the  bread  on  water  cast, 
The  giver  might  receive  at  last. 
Then  were  the  days  of  happy  birth, 
Which  blest  the  earliest  Church  of  earth. 
******* 

Good  is  of  Love  —  of  heavenly  birth  : 
Evil  of  time,  and  thus  of  earth  ; 
The  first,  humanity  sustains, 
Free  from  Time's  penalty  and  pains, 
While  evil,  with  industrious  hand, 
Would,  through  self-love,  enslave  the  land. 

Herein  are  gifts  of  heavenly  love 
Offered  to  all,  which  all  may  prove  ; 
And  scenes  of  sorrow,  thus  portray'd, 
Which  selfish  man  from  choice  has  made. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Where  envy,  ill-will,  constant  strife 
Form  the  chief  traits  of  human  life ; 
Where  each  one  striving,  day  and  night, 
Would  make  all  vassals  of  his  might  — 
There  Eden  fell !  —  yet  fell  not  all  - 
Many  survived  the  dreaded  call ; 
Fell,  to  awake  in  glad  surprise 
In  recreated  Paradise  ! 
With  Canaan's  peace  again  restored 
Accordant  with  the  heavenly  Word. 

Haste  !  promised  days  of  happy  homes, 
Where  neither  sin  nor  sorrow  comes  ; 
Where  each  one  in  his  fig-tree's  bower 
May,  in  his  use,  enjoy  each  hour. 
Peace  universal  then  will  reign, 
And  man  his  Paradise  regain. 
High,  on  the  mount  of  Love  Divine, 
Whence  comes  the  living  bread  and  wine  — 
Feasts  for  all  people,  men  shall  share 
The  gift  of  heaven's  enduring  care  : 
Blessings  Divine,  of  highest  worth, 
Descend  in  ultimates  to  earth  — 
Descend  to  rise,  thus  ever  move 
Through  circles  of  continued  love. 

Truth  is  the  power  inspired  by  love, 
Which  manhood's  best  affections  prove  ; 
Which  warms  his  will,  inclines  his  hands 
To  live,  thro'  heaven's  two  great  commands. 
With  these  commandments,  lived  and  loved, 
Eden's  return  to  earth  is  proved. 


69 


OLD  AGE 

Then  notes  of  praise  to  heaven  will  rise 
From  recreated  Paradise, 
And  coming  Edens  show  us,  even, 
Their  corresponding  form  of  heaven  ; 
While  these  two  precepts  bless  the  land, 
And  willing  men  heed  their  command  ; 
Then  will  those  blessed  words  prove  true, 
"  Behold,  now  all  things  I  make  new  !  " 
May  love  Divine  still  yield  to  earth 
The  living  bread  of  heavenly  birth  — 
And  all  who  lived  from  this  supply 
Have  promised  immortality  — 
That  Bread  which  Paradise  enjoyed, 
Where  mutual  uses  were  employed, 
And  men  composed  one  brotherhood, 
As  each  one  strove  for  others'  good. 

Yet  human  life,  when  understood, 
Seems  freedom-formed  —  evil  or  good ; 
And  each  will  seek,  sooner  or  late, 
A  place,  according  with  his  state ; 
Ever  to  live,  and  strive  to  move, 
With  kindred  spirits  of  their  love ; 
To  join  with  those  in  full  accord 
Who  love  the  neighbor —  first  the  Lord, 
Eschewing  evil,  self-love,  strife, 
All  which  embitter  human  life ; 
Or,  join  with  those  they  kindly  greet, 
Only  to  ruin  all  they  meet ; 
Who  ever  dwell  in  that  unrest 
Which  faithful  conscience  will  suggest. 


BIRTHDAY  POEMS 

Welcome,  those  happy,  blessed  days, 
Days  of  thanksgiving,  prayer,  and  praise, 
When,  from  the  height  of  heavenly  love, 
A  crowning  gift  mankind  may  prove  ; 
And  every  gift  of  heavenly  birth 
Lives  in  its  ultimates  on  earth  ; 
Lives  in  its  uses  ;  finds  its  food 
In  ceaseless  rounds  of  doing  good. 
Then  on  the  mountain  of  heaven's  height 
Shall  feast  of  fat  things  all  delight, 
Where  purest  wine  may  cheer  the  heart, 
Yet  still  no  injury  impart ; 
The  purest  wine  on  earth  found,  ever, 
Cheers,  but  debases  mankind  never. 
Tears  will  no  more  bedim  the  eyes 
Where  self  retires,  and  envy  dies, 
And  good  will  everywhere  increase 
As  each  and  all  men  cherish  peace. 

Yet,  happiest  days  on  earth  are  found 
Where  loves  domestic  most  abound, 
And  therein,  to  mankind  afford 
Proofs  of  earth's  Paradise  restored. 
Thus  to  humanity  is  given 
Earth's  brightest  type  of  life  in  heaven, 
Where  love  perennial  thenceforth  reigns, 
As  man  his  Paradise  regains. 
How  pleasant  scenes,  in  memory's  sight, 
Brighten  in  their  recurring  light ; 
When  friend  meets  friend,  in  happy  mood, 
To  feast  on  memory's  favorite  food  ; 


OLD  AGE 

To  live  those  happy  seasons  o'er 
Which  gave  delight  in  days  of  yore, 
And  which  to  all  friends  seem  more  dear 
As  they  improve  them,  year  by  year ; 
And,  as  they  cherish  mutual  love, 
Will  manhood's  best  affections  prove. 

Evil,  however  great  its  store, 
Is  good  perverted  —  nothing  more  ; 
Good  is  of  Love,  a  heavenly  birth, 
The  glory  both  of  heaven  and  earth  : 
And  in  its  going-forth,  ascends, 
While  evil  ever  downward  tends, 
Seeks  lower  depths  of  sin  and  shame, 
Leaving  to  each  the  evil  name. 


O  !  were  it  better  understood, 
For  each  and  all  men's  present  good, 
Blessings  Divine  would  ever  come 
To  each  well  ordered,  happy  home  ! 
Where  peace  enduring  thenceforth  reigns, 
And  man  his  Paradise  regains ; 
When,  from  the  mount  of  Love  Divine, 
Whence  comes  the  living  Bread  and  Wine ; 
Feasts  for  all  people  ;  all  may  share 
The  gift  of  heaven's  unceasing  care  : 
High 'on  the  mount,  where  gifts  abound, 
Where  evil  deeds  may  not  be  found, 
There,  man  heaven's  great  commands  may  prove, 
And,  as  the  Lord,  his  neighbor  love. 


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